Committee meets Tuesday to vote on possible changes in pretrial detention procedures

Committee meets Tuesday to vote on possible changes in pretrial detention procedures

SANTA FE – A Supreme Court appointed committee will hold an online meeting Tuesday to discuss and vote on possible changes in rules governing the procedures for the pretrial detention of felony defendants.

Members of the Ad Hoc Committee to Review Pretrial Release and Detention Procedures will meet through video conferencing. The meeting will be available to the public through a live broadcast on the YouTube channel of New Mexico Courts.

DATE: May 12, 2020

TIME: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

PLACE: https://www.youtube.com/NewMexicoCourts

The committee will submit its recommendations to the New Mexico Supreme Court for consideration.

The committee includes representatives from all three branches of government – legislative, executive and judicial. Retired Supreme Court Justice Edward Chávez chairs the committee. Meeting materials are available online by clicking here

Under a constitutional amendment approved by voters in 2016, district court judges can hold a felony defendant in jail pending trial if prosecutors prove by clear and convincing evidence that the individual is so dangerous that nothing other than detention will reasonably protect public safety. Prosecutors must file a written motion in court to seek a defendant’s detention. Court rules establish procedures for detention requests, including deadlines for a hearing.